Syria Must End Occupation of Lebanon, Bush Says

Syria must end its occupation of Lebanon, President Bush said on Monday, branding Damascus an "oppressive neighbor" to a once-thriving nation.

"Just as the Syrian regime must take stronger action to stop those who support violence and subversion in Iraq and must end its support for terrorist groups seeking to destroy the hope of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Syria must also end its occupation of Lebanon," Bush said in a keynote speech in Europe.

Washington, which suspects Syria had a role in last week's killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, has piled pressure on Damascus and Bush said before his visit that he would press European leaders to follow suit.

"Our shared commitment to democratic progress is being tested in Lebanon, a once-thriving country that now suffers under the influence of an oppressive neighbor," Bush said on his first day in Brussels, where on Tuesday he will meet European Union and fellow NATO nation leaders.

Although the EU is also pressing for a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, it favors more of an "engagement" approach.

Despite U.S. objections, the EU initialled a trade and cooperation agreement last year intended to boost ties with Syria but it has yet to sign or implement the accord.

source: Reuters